• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.195-206
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• 2004

Paleomagnetic and rock-magnetic investigations have been carried out for the Cretaceous sedimentary rocks in the Poongam (also called Gapcheon) Basin in the eastern South Korea. A total of 128 independently oriented core samples were drilled from 13 sites for this study. The mean direction after bedding correction (D/I=353.1$^{\circ}$/55.6$^{\circ}$, k=21.5, =$$\alpha$_{95}$=10.1$^{\circ}$) is more dispersed than the mean direction before bedding correction (D/I=10.5$^{\circ}$/56.9$^{\circ}$, k=73.9, =$$\alpha$_{95}$=5.3$^{\circ}$), and the stepwise unfolding of the characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM) reveals a maximum value of k at 20% unfolding. Secondary authigenic hematite accompanied by altered clays such as chlorite was identified by the electron microscope observations. These results collectively imply that the ChRM is remagnetized due to the formation of the secondary authigenic hematite after tilting of the strata. It is interpreted that the chemical remagnetization was connected to the introduction of mixed magmatic-meteoric fluids, which formed hydrothermal vein deposits near the study area. The paleomagnetic pole position (214.3$^{\circ}$E, 81.6$^{\circ}$N, =$A_{95}$=7.4$^{\circ}$) of the Cretaceous sedimentary rocks calculated from remagnetized directions is close to those of the Late Cretaceous and Tertiary poles of the Korean Peninsula. This Late Cretaceous to Tertiary remagnetization seems to be widespread over the Okcheon Belt because the chemical remagnetization is previously reported to be found in rocks from other Cretaceous small basins (e.g., Eumseong, Gongju and Youngdong basins) along the Okcheon Belt and some Paleozoic strata from the Okcheon unmetamorphosed zone.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.455-470
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• 1996

Mesozoic granitic rocks in the Korean peninsula contain $H_2$, $CH_4$, CO and rare $C_2H_6$. The Jurassic Daebo granites mostly belonging to the ilmenite series are predominated in $CH_4$. Meanwhile, the magnetite series Bulguksa granites of Cretaceous age in the Kyongsang basin and Okchon zone are relatively enriched in $CO_2$. The older granites have a wide variation of $CH_4/CO_2$ ratios (0.1~1.0) compared to those of the younger ones (0.1~0.5). This characteristics of gas compositions suggest that the Jurassic granites are principally derived from the partial melting of metasedimentary rocks with much reducing materials in the lower continental crust. On the other hand, the mantle source granitic magmas might be responsible for the Cretaceous granites characterized by dominant and homogeneous $CO_2$ gas compositions. Liquid-vapor homogenization temperatures of quartz in the Jurassic and Cretaceous granites range from 108 to $539^{\circ}C$ (av. $324^{\circ}C$) and 160 to $556^{\circ}C$ (av. $358^{\circ}C$), respectively. Their salinities are between 0.2 and 16.3 wt.% NaCl for the Jurassic granites and 0.4, and 15.6 wt.% NaCl for the Cretaceous ones. Fluid inclusions with solid daughter minerals lying on or near the halite equilibrium curve represent inclusion fluids from the magmatic stage. The type I and II fluid inclusions which are plotted apart from the equilibrium curve are considered to trap in late hydrothermal alteration stage with a increasing influx of metedric water.

• Journal of the Korean Geophysical Society
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2000

A palaeomagnetic study was carried out on Early through Late Cretaceous sandstones and volcanic sequences (the Songnaedong Formation, Chaeyaksan Volcanics, Konchonri Formation, and Jusasan Andesite it ascending order) from Konchonri area in the northern Milyang subbasin of the Kyongsang Basin, Korea. A high-temperature stable remanence with direction of $d=22.9^{\circ},\;i=59.1^{\circ}\;({\alpha}_{95}=3.0^{\circ})$ has been isolated and a corresponding pole was $71.6^{\circ}N,\;199.6^{\circ}E\;(A_{95}=4.2^{\circ})$. The characteristic high-temperature component resides in both hematite and magnetite. The primary nature of this remanence is confirmed from positive fold and reversals tests, The palaeopole is consistent with those of the Hayang Group in other parts of the Kyongsang Basin. A comparison of the palaeomagnetic pole position from the studied area with the contemporary pole from China west of the Tan-Lu fault presents that Konchonri area has experienced little latitudinal displacement nor vertical-axis block rotation relative to the Chinese blocks since the Cretaceous. Based on the formations indicating dual polarity, radiometric and paleontologic data, the magnetostratigraphic age of the studied sequence from the Songnedong Formation to the Jusasan Andesite ranges from upper Albian to lower Campanian reverse polarity chronozone. On the other hand, volcanic samples of the Chaeyaksan Volcanics and the Jusasan Andesite showed the scattered directions considered in group, even though individual sample showed a stable remanent magnetization in response to thermal demagnetization. It indicates that they have been reworked after acquisition of the stable remanent magnetization.

• Journal of the Geological Society of Korea
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.641-656
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• 2018

Although an amount of hydrocarbon has been discovered in the West Korea Bay Basin (WKBB), located in the North Korean offshore area, geophysical investigations associated with these hydrocarbon reservoirs are not permitted because of the current geopolitical situation. Interpretation of satellite derived potential field data can be alternatively used to image three-dimensional (3D) density distribution in the sedimentary basin associated with hydrocarbon deposits. We interpreted the TRIDENT satellite-derived gravity field data to provide detailed insights into the spatial distribution of sedimentary density structures in the WKBB. We used 3D forward density modeling for the interpretation that incorporated constraints from existing geological and geophysical information. The gravity data interpretation and 3D forward modeling showed that there are two modeled areas in the central subbasin that are characterized by very low density structures, with a maximum density of about $2,000kg/m^3$, indicating some type of hydrocarbon reservoir. One of the anticipated hydrocarbon reservoirs is located in the southern part of the central subbasin with a volume of about $250km^3$ at a depth of about 3,000 m in the Cretaceous/Jurassic layer. The other hydrocarbon reservoir should exist in the northern part of the central subbasin, with an average volume of about $300km^3$ at a depth of about 2,500 m. A comparison between the TRIDENT derived gravity field and the ship-based gravity field measured in 1980s shows us that our results are highly reliable and there is a very high probability to detect another low-density layer existings in the northwestern part of the central subbasin.

• 한국석유지질학회:학술대회논문집
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• spring
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• pp.12-24
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• 1997

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.143-151
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• 1997

The history of the Palgongsan Fault comprises the growth-fault, the dormant and the strike-slip phases. Dissecting the Palgongsan Granite, the Palgongsan Strike-slip Fault, which is the product of the final phase, sinistrally offset about 5.5 km as shown in the dislocation of the Hasandong Formation. Faulting, sedimentation and igneous activity were inter-related in the early phases of the Palgongsan Fault. Some other faults such as the Dansan Pond Fault and the Hayang Fault have also been discovered, and their some stratigraphic implications and the ages of faulting are discussed. The anomalous development of the Jindong Formation in the study area and the related stratigraphic problems are discussed. It has been confirmed that the Konchonri Formation deposited over the Chaeyaksan Volcanic Formation in spite of the recent doubts on their such stratigraphic relation. The chronological sequence of the volcanisms of the Kyongsang Basin has been summarized.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.117-129
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• 1988

The purpose of this study is to determine the stratigraphy of the volcanic rocks in the Chilpo-Weolpo area, the north of Pohang basin, based on field survey and lithological properties of the rocks. The volcanic pile(Chilpo tuff) overlies the Cretaceous sedimentary formation and is unconformably overlain by the Miocene Yeonil Group. The Chilpo tuff comprises a thick sequence(>200m) of pyroclastic flow deposits. Five members are distinguished, each representing separate flow units, comprising none(or weakly) to densely welded rhyolite tuff. The Chilpo tuff consists of, in ascending order, greenish weakly welded tuff, volcanic conglomerate, alternation of tuff breccias and fine tuffs, greenish none to densely welded tuff and red-brownish densely to weakly welded vitric tuff. This study revealed that the volcanic rocks in this area were formed by 4 volcanic stages. On the basis of K-Ar age($44.7{\pm}1.1\;Ma$) and lithologic data, geological age of the Chilpo tuff may be Eocene.

• The Korean Journal of Petroleum Geology
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• v.8 no.1_2 s.9
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• pp.1-43
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• 2000

A comparison study for understanding a stratigraphic response to tectonic evolution of sedimentary basins in the Yellow Sea and adjacent areas was carried out by using an integrated stratigraphic technology. As an interim result, we propose a stratigraphic framework that allows temporal and spatial correlation of the sedimentary successions in the basins. This stratigraphic framework will use as a new stratigraphic paradigm for hydrocarbon exploration in the Yellow Sea and adjacent areas. Integrated stratigraphic analysis in conjunction with sequence-keyed biostratigraphy allows us to define nine stratigraphic units in the basins: Cambro-Ordovician, Carboniferous-Triassic, early to middle Jurassic, late Jurassic-early Cretaceous, late Cretaceous, Paleocene-Eocene, Oligocene, early Miocene, and middle Miocene-Pliocene. They are tectono-stratigraphic units that provide time-sliced information on basin-forming tectonics, sedimentation, and basin-modifying tectonics of sedimentary basins in the Yellow Sea and adjacent area. In the Paleozoic, the South Yellow Sea basin was initiated as a marginal sag basin in the northern margin of the South China Block. Siliciclastic and carbonate sediments were deposited in the basin, showing cyclic fashions due to relative sea-level fluctuations. During the Devonian, however, the basin was once uplifted and deformed due to the Caledonian Orogeny, which resulted in an unconformity between the Cambro-Ordovician and the Carboniferous-Triassic units. The second orogenic event, Indosinian Orogeny, occurred in the late Permian-late Triassic, when the North China block began to collide with the South China block. Collision of the North and South China blocks produced the Qinling-Dabie-Sulu-Imjin foldbelts and led to the uplift and deformation of the Paleozoic strata. Subsequent rapid subsidence of the foreland parallel to the foldbelts formed the Bohai and the West Korean Bay basins where infilled with the early to middle Jurassic molasse sediments. Also Piggyback basins locally developed along the thrust. The later intensive Yanshanian (first) Orogeny modified these foreland and Piggyback basins in the late Jurassic. The South Yellow Sea basin, however, was likely to be a continental interior sag basin during the early to middle Jurassic. The early to middle Jurassic unit in the South Yellow Sea basin is characterized by fluvial to lacustrine sandstone and shale with a thick basal quartz conglomerate that contains well-sorted and well-rounded gravels. Meanwhile, the Tan-Lu fault system underwent a sinistrai strike-slip wrench movement in the late Triassic and continued into the Jurassic and Cretaceous until the early Tertiary. In the late Jurassic, development of second- or third-order wrench faults along the Tan-Lu fault system probably initiated a series of small-scale strike-slip extensional basins. Continued sinistral movement of the Tan-Lu fault until the late Eocene caused a megashear in the South Yellow Sea basin, forming a large-scale pull-apart basin. However, the Bohai basin was uplifted and severely modified during this period. h pronounced Yanshanian Orogeny (second and third) was marked by the unconformity between the early Cretaceous and late Eocene in the Bohai basin. In the late Eocene, the Indian Plate began to collide with the Eurasian Plate, forming a megasuture zone. This orogenic event, namely the Himalayan Orogeny, was probably responsible for the change of motion of the Tan-Lu fault system from left-lateral to right-lateral. The right-lateral strike-slip movement of the Tan-Lu fault caused the tectonic inversion of the South Yellow Sea basin and the pull-apart opening of the Bohai basin. Thus, the Oligocene was the main period of sedimentation in the Bohai basin as well as severe tectonic modification of the South Yellow Sea basin. After the Oligocene, the Yellow Sea and Bohai basins have maintained thermal subsidence up to the present with short periods of marine transgressions extending into the land part of the present basins.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.35-60
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• 1987

The geochemical characteristics including minerals, major and trace elements chemistries of the Proterozoic, Jurassic and Cretaceous granites in Korea are systematically summarized and intended to decipher the origin and crystallization process in connection with the tectonic evolution. The granites in Korea are classified into three different ages of the granites with their own distinctive geochemical patterns: 1) Proterozoic granitoids; 2) Jurassic granites(cratonic and mobile belt); 3) Cretaceous-Tertiary granites. The Proterozoic granite gneisses (I-type and ilmenite-series) formed by metamorphism of the geochemically evolved granite protolith. The Proterozoic granites (S-type and ilmenite-series) produced by remobilization of sialic crust. The Jurassic granites (S-type and ilmenite-series) were mainly formed by partial melting of crustal materials, possibly metasedimentary rocks. The Cretaceous granites (I-type and magnetite-series) formed by fractional crystallization of parental magmas from the igneous protolith in the lower crust or upper mantle. The low temperature ($315{\sim}430^{\circ}C$) and small temperature variations (${\pm}20{\sim}30^{\circ}C$) in the cessation of exsolution of perthites for the Proterozoic and Jurassic granites might have been caused by slow cooling of the granites under regional metamorphic regime. The high ($520^{\circ}C$) and large temperature variations (${\pm}110^{\circ}C$) of perthites for the Cretaceous granites postulate that the rapid cooling of the granitic magma. In terms of the oxygen fugacity during the feldspar crystallization in the granite magmas, the Jurassic mobile belt granites were crystallized in the lowest oxygen fugacity condition among the Korean granites, whereas the Cretaceous granites in the Gyeongsang basin at the high oxygen fugacity condition. The Jurassic mobile belt granites are located at the Ogcheon Fold Belt, resulting by closing-collision situation such as compressional tectonic setting, and emplaced into a Kata-Mesozonal ductile crust. The Jurassic cratonic granites might be more evolved either during intrusion through thick crust or owing to lower degree of partial melting in comparison with the mobile belt granites. The Cretaceous granites are possibly comparable with a continental margin of Andinotype. Subduction of the Kula-Pacific ridge provided sufficient heat and water to trigger remelting at various subcrustal and lower crustal igneous protoliths.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.123-154
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• 1982

Petrochemical, K-Ar dating, Sand Rb/Sr isotopes, metallogenic zoning, paleomagnetic and geotectonic studies of the Gyongsang basin were carried out to examine applicability of plate tectonics to the post-late Cretaceous igneous activity and metallogeny in the southeastern part of Korean Peninsula. The results obtained are as follows: 1. Bulgugsa granitic rocks range from granite to adamellite, whose Q-Ab-Or triangular diagram indicates that the depth and pressure at which the magma consolidated increase from coast to inland varying from 6 km, 0.5-3.3 kb in the coastal area to 17 km, 0.5-10 kb in the inland area. 2. The volcanic rocks in Gyongsang basin range from andesitic to basaltic rocks, and the basaltic rocks are generally tholeiitic in the coastal area and alkali basalt in the inland area. 3. The volcanic rocks of the area have the initial ratio of Sr^{87}/Sr^{86} varying from 0.706 to 0.707 which suggests a continental origin; the ratio of Rb/Sr changing from 0.079-0.157 in the coastal area to 0.021-0.034 in the inland area suggests that the volcanism is getting younger toward coastal side, which may indicate a retreat in stage of differentiation if they were derived from a same magma. The K_2O/SiO_2 (60%) increases from about 1.0 in the coastal area to about 3.0 in the inland area, which may suggest an increase indepth of the Benioff zone, if existed, toward inland side. 4. The K-Ar ages of volcanic rocks were measured to be 79.4 m.y. near Daegu, and 61.7 m.y. near Busan indicating a southeastward decrease in age. The ages of plutonic rocks also decrease toward the same direction with 73 m.y. near Daegu, and 58 m.y. near Busan, so that the volcanism predated the plutonism by 6 m.y. in the continental interior and 4 m.y. along the coast. Such igneous activities provide a positive evidence for an applicability of plate tectonics to this area. 5. Sulfur isotope analyses of sulfide minerals from 8 mines revealed that these deposits were genetically connected with the spacially associated ingeous rocks showing relatively narrow range of ${\delta}^{34}S$ values (-0.9‰ to +7.5‰ except for +13.3 from Mulgum Mine). A sequence of metallogenic zones from the coast to the inland is delineated to be in the order of Fe-Cu zone, Cu-Pb-Zn zone, and W-Mo zone. A few porphyry type copper deposits are found in the Fe-Cu zone. These two facts enable the sequence to be comparable with that of Andean type in South America. 6. The VGP's of Cretaceous and post Cretaceous rocks from Korea are located near the ones($71^{\circ}N$, $180^{\circ}E$ and $90^{\circ}N$, $110^{\circ}E$) obtained from continents of northern hemisphere. This suggests that the Korean peninsula has been stable tectonically since Cretaceous, belonging to the Eurasian continent. 7. Different polar wandering path between Korean peninsula and Japanese islands delineates that there has been some relative movement between them. 8. The variational feature of declination of NRM toward northwestern inland side from southeastern extremity of Korean peninsula suggests that the age of rocks becomes older toward inland side. 9. The geological structure(mainly faults) and trends of lineaments interpreted from the Landsat imagery reveal that NNE-, NWW- and NEE-trends are predominant in the decreasing order of intensity. 10. The NNE-trending structures were originated by tensional and/or compressional forces, the directions of which were parallel and perpendicular respectively to the subduction boundary of the Kula plate during about 90 m.y. B.P. The NWW-trending structures were originated as shear fractures by the same compressional forces. The NEE-trending structures are considered to be priginated as tension fractures parallel to the subduction boundary of the Kula plate during about 70 m.y. B.P. when Japanese islands had drifted toward southeast leaving the Sea of Japan behind. It was clearly demonstrated by many authors that the drifting of Japanese islands was accompanied with a rotational movement of a clock-wise direction, so that it is inferred that subduction boundary had changed from NNE- to NEE-direction. A number of facts and features mentioned above provide a suite of positive evidences enabling application of plate tectonics to the late Cretaceous-early Tertiary igneous activity and metallogeny in the area. Synthesizing these facts, an arc-trench system of continental margin-type is adopted by reconstructing paleogeographic models for the evolution of Korean peninsula and Japan islands. The models involve an extention mechanism behind the are(proto-Japan), by which proto-Japan as of northeastern continuation of Gyongsang zone has been drifted rotationally toward southeast. The zone of igneous activity has also been migrated from the inland in late-Cretaceous to the peninsula margin and southwestern Japan in Tertiary.